This is as good a definition of hypocrisy as any I have ever seen. It is found in Detours, Tow Trucks and Angels in Disguise, a 1996 NavPress book by Carol Kent. She tells that one year she was speaking at a Campus Crusade for Christ seminar for staff members. One of them had worked the campus of Northern Michigan University, and while there, had found three postcards in a book at the library. Each card was from the same person, but addressed to three different people. See how she described her activities to the different recipients:
(First, to her parents)
Dear Mom and Dad,
Thanks for sending me on vacation. We've toured a lot of interesting places. The historical society was really fascinating and I learned quite a bit about Marquette, Michigan, in its mining days. We've even tried some of the local food since we've been here. Love, Connie.
(The next one was addressed to a friend)
Dear Sue,
Hi! I finally woke up and felt awake after one week of totally intense partying! I figured it was a good time to write before we start again. The guys up here are sensational! I went out with a different one each night. Well, take care, and don't party too much! See ya, Connie.
(And then, finally, one to her boyfriend)
Dear Jim,
Boy, I sure do miss you! I wish you could be here so we could share the fall scenery together. I haven't been doing too much here, just visiting and touring around quite a bit. I can't wait to see you! Love and Kisses, Connie.
While laughing at the young girl's duplicity, we are nevertheless reminded of times in our own lives when we present different sides of ourselves to different people. Do we have one face we wear when we are at church, and another when at home? What about when we are in a traffic jam? Let’s be careful to stay faithful to Christ, so that no matter the situation, we will always be true to Him.
I designed a graphic once which read, "Let those who do not practice what they preach stop until they catch up." Pretty good advice.
--Rocky Henriques, www.uticabc.com
(First, to her parents)
Dear Mom and Dad,
Thanks for sending me on vacation. We've toured a lot of interesting places. The historical society was really fascinating and I learned quite a bit about Marquette, Michigan, in its mining days. We've even tried some of the local food since we've been here. Love, Connie.
(The next one was addressed to a friend)
Dear Sue,
Hi! I finally woke up and felt awake after one week of totally intense partying! I figured it was a good time to write before we start again. The guys up here are sensational! I went out with a different one each night. Well, take care, and don't party too much! See ya, Connie.
(And then, finally, one to her boyfriend)
Dear Jim,
Boy, I sure do miss you! I wish you could be here so we could share the fall scenery together. I haven't been doing too much here, just visiting and touring around quite a bit. I can't wait to see you! Love and Kisses, Connie.
While laughing at the young girl's duplicity, we are nevertheless reminded of times in our own lives when we present different sides of ourselves to different people. Do we have one face we wear when we are at church, and another when at home? What about when we are in a traffic jam? Let’s be careful to stay faithful to Christ, so that no matter the situation, we will always be true to Him.
I designed a graphic once which read, "Let those who do not practice what they preach stop until they catch up." Pretty good advice.
--Rocky Henriques, www.uticabc.com
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